Tone of Nara
Chapter 67 Lemon Pradipta For Nara Hiccups

POV Nara's

I'm a little relieved to have completed my duties in the auction. At first I thought M was just kidding when I mentioned the plan to buy a necklace for 150 million. It feels like spending 150 million just to be able to make me see Pradipta is a tremendous waste. The reason he put forward was quite shocking, so I doubted the truth a bit.  So confused and shocked I was, that I didn't really listen to him. I thought he was just bragging that I would follow his ridiculous plan of throwing money away. But after making me freeze with his terrifying loud clashing sound, M managed to convince me that he really wanted the necklace.

Come to think of it, it actually makes quite a lot of sense. If M is not a very wealthy person, how could he easily finance the Nada’s Project. Moreover, all this time he was not seen out of the house to work hard to slam bones. Even he spends a lot of time always there for me? Um, I mean always there for Nada’s Project.

My job of winning the auction is certainly not completed just by getting that fantastic precious necklace on the auction floor. I know, Mr. Franco and Pradipta would be astonished and doubt my financial ability. They must be suspicious, a newcomer model can buy a necklace for 150 million, just like that. Moreover, all this time they have never heard the name Nara among socialites and the ranks of wealthy diamond fans. It seems, I should try to display the image of a rich woman that no one wants to know. The story is safer for Nara, for the long term. I'll discuss this with M later.

In addition to imaging Nara, of course I still have homework, approaching Pradipta. Fortunately, Mr. Franco unintentionally gave me a way that made it easier for me to get that chance. Tomorrow I must make it to Pradipta. Tomorrow I should be able to eliminate my nervousness that makes me grumble when near him. Now I will complete my task of getting the necklace by completing all the administration that the committee has given me. Some of the girls who helped me with this administration turned out to be my big fans. So we finished all the administration of necklace retrieval and payment, while having a light chat. I'm just gonna get the necklace tomorrow at lunch with Franco and Pradipta. So I didn't think much about the necklace, which Juli was still holding. The woman seemed to really want the Lidya Dirgantara necklace and didn't want me to have it. Especially before he had said that I did not deserve to wear the necklace. Whatever Juli said, as beautiful and expensive as the necklace, I don't care. I currently enjoy spending my time with these good girls,. I heard a shocking sound and made my blood freeze.

“You Nara?” there was a very special Pradipta voice. I was stunned for a moment and didn't know what to do.

“It's nice to meet you. I am Pradipta,” the man who is my husband's status reached out his hand with a friendly smile typical of Pradipta.  Blood rustling. There is a sense that used to exist but there is also a sense of anger and disgust. All appeared into one until it made my chest tight.

“Nara, do not turn into a statue or faint because of the descent of medusa yes,” M whispers that tease me, make me aware of the promise that I will not be disturbed and sculpt again. I have to be strong, I told myself. Those words just came down my throat, and I never really said them. Once again, I realized that when I was panicking, sad or upset, I needed M.  I began to calm down and relax hearing M's voice that could always calm me down. Even now I remember about Pradipta being Medusa with her caterpillar hair, as M said, making me amused and a little relaxed. I'm ready to play my role as Nara the seductress for Pradipta.

 “Hai, I'm Nara. Nice to meet you,” I tried to answer my husband's greeting in a professional yet friendly tone. Like a model to her clients.  I tried to give a wall by showing a professional attitude even though it gave a little gap.  Unfortunately, it's not easy. My brain and body can't just be synchronized. My body reacted strangely again. Although I could move, no longer pecking or not even nervous, I suddenly choked on my own saliva. After that I let out a strange sound.I hiccup quite hard. I tried hard to hold it in, but the more I held back the stranger the sound sounded.

“Hey, why are you? You you're okay2?” I heard the voice of Pradipta who looked astonished and worried about my condition Nara at that time. He approached the girl trying to calm her down by patting me on the back making me feel like I was being electrified. My mind is no longer in control. Many questions came up and I could not answer them. Is he really worried about me? I used to hiccup when I was around him and was nervous. But he never did this and never worried about me.

As I raised my face to look for M, I saw a servant carrying cold water while looking at me worriedly. At that moment I knew he was part of us. It must be M who asked him to get me some water. But I need more M's presence at this time. I wanted to feel like I was yelling his name at the moment, but I knew it was impossible. As I waited for the waiter with white water to approach us, I saw Pradipta also calling out to him.

“Servant, please bring the cold white water here, fast!” shouted Pradipta. The servant immediately approached Pradipta still with a worried and pitying look at me. Samar I heard Adrian ringing behind me. I know this guy is around me. But he didn't help me at all when I was like this. Looks like he let Pradipta help me so I can get close to my husband. Whether I heard wrong or not, it looks like Adrian is talking to M. But the man behaved like he was in a mood with other bodyguards. I'm sure it's M or Henry.

“Hey, get me a lemon on the fruit table. Get now. Hurry along! Otherwise I'll make sure you get fired!” I heard Pradipta yelling at the waiter. I didn't think that Pradipta could be this arrogant. I was really surprised by his attitude. Was he always like this? Was this Pradipta all along. I realized that I didn't really know the man I called my husband. I looked at the waiter who ran away with a pinch of beer. But I can't say anything because I myself am tormented by the confusion I am experiencing. It really tormented me. The servant immediately returned with a plate of lemon that he had extended to Pradipta. The servant's face looked at me like pity. I looked at him and tried to say thank you even though I couldn't say it. Every time I try to say something, my hiccups will increase

severer.

“Hey, relax. Breathe in, hold and then sip this lemon. After that drink. This will help you. Someone taught me this way to cure hiccups. And this is very potent,” said Pradipta. My heart wants to stop. I know what Pradipta means. I was so happy that Pradipta remembered my words. I received the lemon and took a sip as my mind drifted into the past with my husband. It was like I was having a dejavu. But first, I was the one who did this to Pradipta. The man that Pradipta meant in his words was me, Nada, his wife. Unable to stand it, my smiling lips showed the joy of being remembered by Pradipta. There is happiness there. There is a belief that my husband has not completely forgotten.

But all of that comes back for free. The surging pain came back to me with the arrival of a woman before me. The same woman who brought a storm surge to my home a year ago. The same woman who put such a disgusting spectacle before me without her knowing it but she was fully aware of it. Women who adore the world and always want to be adored by the world.  The woman approached Pradipta and shook the spoilt in her hand, without seeing me in the slightest. It was like he didn't see me and Adrian. Juli then took out a piece of red money from her small bag and gave it to the waiter who was still holding a plate containing slices of lemon. He then shook his hand telling the servant to leave. Before leaving, the waiter gave Pradipta a plate of lemon.

Pradipta glanced at me for a moment. There was an uncomfortable glint to me, because of Juli's behavior. He took a deep breath and nodded at me, saying good night and handing over the lemon plate he had just held. Pradipta without saying again, passed away with a selfless woman who continued to struggle spoiled in the hands of Pradipta.

I just stared at the two with a gaping wound. For the umpteenth time my husband left me for that woman. And this time I can't do anything.  I tried to ease the waves of anger that came back with a sip of lemon, easing my hiccups that began to subside. I just peeked with the lemon in my mouth without knowing what to do, until I felt Adrian's hand rub against my shoulder.  Adrian returned a new lemon, replacing the lemon I had sipped a while ago. While the lemon that Pradipta gave without leprosy had fallen to the floor because of the arrival of July. I immediately accepted it and drank cold water to completely eliminate my hiccups. I hope, this mouthful of cold water my chest that is rumbling hot, will also become cold and calm. The disappointment and pain of this betrayal came again. After a while, I calmed down again, and my hiccups disappeared. I looked at Adrian. Without a word, I asked Adrian to take me away immediately. While heading to the lobby door, I still saw the shadow of Pradipta and Juli getting into the same car in front of it. I paused for a moment and clutched Adrian's hand involuntarily. Adrian held me warm as if to give me strength. He smiled at me and patted my hand that was gripping his arm. I know, his arm must have hurt because of me. Immediately I let go while whispering the word, sorry. Adrian just nodded while instructing his men to drive the car to the lobby. After that, Adrian immediately took me to the car to drive me home.